Cleaning device



Oct. 30, 1945. A. G. SMITH l 2,388,016

CLEANING DEVICE- 4 Filed March 12, 1941 INVENTOR. ART/rug 6; S/wr/f Patented Oct. 3 0, 1945 .a a

V'UNlTlizD sierrasA PATENT-OFFICE CLEANING DEVICE? l Arthur G. smith, Elyriafohio i Application March 12, 194i, seriaino; 382,958 f i 14 claims. (o1. 1er-2te) a This invention relates to cleaning devices and more-particularly to a device that is adapted for 'cleaning outnarrowly confined and diflcultly accssible places, orifices and apertures, such as, fo example, "the bore of the bowl shank of a smokingpipe and the like. l In-thepast many expedients have been resorted to for working in narrowly confined places. Severalfmeanshave been produced for example, for minimizing theaccumulation of and for removlng objectionable tar, water and tobacco particles from thebore ofa smoking pipe bowl shank or shaft. Most of these means require the handling offltar and-water soaked filters, condensers and thelike, that is very objectionable to the' smoker and thus inhibits-a more general use of pipes, and that materially detracts from the available pleasurethat it is possible toderive from pipe smoking.- The need for a satisfactory working device is felt equally seriously in other fields also. object of the present invention is to provide a tool or devicefor efficiently removing waste from smallor confined orifices, such as lfrom the 'stem receiving vbore of a pipe bowl or the like, wit-houtthe necessity of handling soiled cleaning agents.` l

` `Another bject is to provide a cleaning tool having a slender, trough-shaped blade in which thesides of the trough gradually converge toward each other from the free end of the blade toform a substantially circular portion adjacent the other end of the blade and which may be inserted into narrow and diicultly accessible orifices and places for loosening and scooping out undesirable waste material. l

`AA further object is to provide a tool having a slender blade portion that is provided with edges that are vcapable of a scraping action that may, if desired, be continued across the back of the bladeportion in vthe form of le teeth, or the like. 'Another object is to provide a device that is apable-ofmechanically scraping tar and solid -incrustations from the side walls of the bore of a pipe bowl shank, or from other diilicultly accessible orices, and simultaneously wiping the bore walls free of loose solid particles and substantiallyldry'of fluids and moisture. A

Another object is to provide a devicecomprising a substantially slim blade member, preferably in combination with a brushing or sweeping membei' that may be conveniently, quickly and` securely assembled together for accomplishing simultaneously the cooperative and the interde pendentservices of both members. TAiurtherpbject ls-to provide a scraper and Y the side walls of the ple and'- inexpensive construction and of sulficiently ampleruggedness to provide a dependa- Able and substantially long lived tool for the use for which it is intended. A

. Withtthe above and other objects in VView that will be apparent from the following discussion to those who are familiar with scraping, filing, cleaning and brushingoperations in relatively confined` apertures and the difficulties that are incident thereto, such las inland about pipe bowls, ne metal goods, clock and jewelry work and the like, illustrative embodiments of the invention are disclosed in Ithe accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. lis a plan view of one form of the device;

Fig. 2.is anenlarged section of the blade por# tion taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig 3 His an-enlargedfsection of the blade portion taken "along-the line 3-3 of'Fig 1; "f

Fig.. 4 is a side elevation of the blade and handle portions of the device that is shown in Fig. Lawith a suitable plush surfaced brush substantially` firmly anchored in the trough of the -blade portion thereof and wherein the brush ends may rest against the blade portion or may be inclined thereto, as shown in full and in dot and dah lines respectively in the case of one of the en s; y

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a modification of my improved device; l l

Fig. 6` is a view similar to Fig. 5 with one of a blade partly broken away and Withthe bottom wallpartlyin section; p

Fig. 7 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 4 but showing a portion of thebrush wedged between the handle and blade portion; v

Fig. 8 is a View somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 7, showing one end of the brush vextending into the bore of the handle and the brush secured in place by means of a linger.

The preferred form of the device that embodies the present invention is shown in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawing. The blade portion l is preferably recessed or forked at Vits free end to provide a brush retaining means, suchV as the pair of tines 2, or the like, that Vhave substantially parallel Vinner edges `that are joined at their bases with a connecting edge. The blade portion -l is preferably Q longitudinally increasingly circular sively converging lateral edges 3 and blade portion side walls of progressively increasing elevation and curvature away from the tines 2.

The lateral edges 3 of the blade portion I, may or may not, as prefered, provide scraper edges. The scraper action preferably, altho not necessarily, is continued across the back of the blade portion I by a suitable means, such as iile teeth, the serrations 4, or the like, that may extend longitudinally along the ,bladeportion I Yfor a desired distance.A 1 y The crotch edges 5 of the bladeportion I, separate increasingly from each other, or diverge longitudinally of the blade portion, away from the part of the blade portion where the edges 3 are shown to substantially contact each other. The

crotch edges 5, and the forward edge 6 of the substantially cylindrical handle portion 1, to.- gether dene an aperture thru which a suitable brush means may be introduced and advanced into the trough of the blade portion I toward the tines 2. The handle portion 'I is preferably continuous with the blade portion I with its meeting edges made continuous as shown and, may have such contour and configuration as may be preferred without departing from the present invention. The end of the handle portion 'I that is remote from the tines 2 may be open or closed, as preferred.

With the handle 'I grasped in the hand, the tip of the blade portion I maybe insterted into the vextends well beyond the tines 2.

material, the tuft material II, or the like, that is disposed and iirmly secured between the core wires to make up the body of the brush. The form of illustrative brush that is shown is of the type that is in current modern use for the purpose of cleaning out Ythe stems of smoking pipes and the like.

The brush may be mounted in the trough of the blade portion I, by introducing an end of the brush into the aperture at the junction of the blade and the handle portion of the tool and dened'by the crotch edges 5 and the handle edge 6., and advancing the brush longitudinally of the blade portion until the advanced end of the brush The wires in the brush are then bent sharply between the tines 2` so that the advanced end of the brush overlies `the back of the blade portion I inwardly bore of a pipe bowl shank, or other small ,aperture that is to be cleaned out, or the blade portion I may be placed in engagement with a difficultly accessible part or object on which work is to be done. The tool maybe then moved or rotated in such a manner that the lateral edges 3 exercise a scraping action on the wall of the bore and the solid or fluid adhering material detached from the bore wall and accumulated in the trough of the blade portion I. The tines 2 may also assist in the scraping or other desired service where needed. Y On the withdrawal of the tool from the bore, the material in the blade portion trough is readily removed from the tool by the use of a piece of soft 'paper, a cloth, or the like.

`The serrations 4 may be used to dislodge adherent material from the wall of the bore, to increase the internal diameter of the bore or to do other ynecessary filing work. The thin section of the blade portion of the tool is particularly advantageous in permitting the admission of the blade portion between adjacent parts of a ,tooled piece of jewelry, a clock, or the like, without disturbing adjacent parts ofthev article. The `lings LlO that result fromrthe use of the serrations on the Y back of the blade portion of the tool may be conveniently collected in the trough part of the blade portion l and easily withdrawn from the bore or from a surface on which they may accumulate, with or without the cooperative use of the brush, as preferred. i

The brush means may be of any suitable desired construction, may be of any practical diameter relative to the width of the blade portion of the tool, and may be of a -circular or of an oval section. as preferred. The illustrative rod or abrasive stick type of brush that is shown in the accompanying drawing, is of Vsubstantially circular section and comprises a plurality of wires ID that are spirally wound together to provide the brush core, and with a suitable brushing and absorbent brush body made of bristles of natural animal hair, strands of plastic, -fine wire, abrasive from the tines at a desired proximity thereto, as is shown in full lines and in dot and dash outline in Fig. 4. v i Y The end of the brush that isnear the handle is then grasped between the ingers and is firmly drawn longitudinally of the blade portion away from the tines 2 and bent sharply upwardly and forwardly between the crotch edges 5 to over-lie the substantially cylindrical part of the blade portion I. The brush is preferably substantially taut between the tines 2 and the crotch edges 5.

'I'he blade 8 shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is similar in construction and design to blade I but is provided With an orice 9 for the reception of one end of the brush.

Assembled in this manner, the side walls ofthe blade portion laterally support the brush to a decreasing degree and permit the exposure of the brush to an increasing degree toward the tines 2. The tines 2 provide a positive anchor and lateral support for the part of the brush that is disposed therebetween vand when an orifice 9 is provided as shown in liigs.4 5 and 6 in which one end of brush I I is inserted, the bottom of the blade also assists in anchoring the brush in place. Preferably the brush bristles or tufts project suiliciently above the level of a portion of the scraper edges 3 in either construction so that the desired sweeping or moisture absorbent service of the brush is maintained. y i Y n As an alternative assembly, the straight brush may be disposed in the trough of the blade portion I with one end substantially in alignment withvor in registration with the tines 2. The opposite end of the brush may extend into the handle portion 1 or be disposed of otherwise, as preferred. The brush is operatively maintained in this position with respect to the vblade portion I by any suitable brush clamping means, such as by wedging a bent humpfof the brush between the crotch edges 5, as shown in Fig. 7, with or without a free brush end extending outwardly thereof, as preferred, or by positioning the iinger against the brush in the aperture that is defined by the crotch edges 5 and the handle edge E, as shown in Fig. 8.

This assembly permits the entrance of the tip of the blade portion I and the brush end into quite small orifices and enclosures. This assembly also permits the efiicient and the simultaneous utilization in a single operation of 'broth the scraper action of the blade portion lateral edges 3 and the serrations 4 on the back ofthe blade portion, and the uid labsorbent andthe sweeping or brushing action of the tufts II of the brush.

It is to be understood that-. theconstructions and the assemblies that are shown herein are presented for the purposes of explanation and illustration and that various modifications and alterations may be made therein without departing `from the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A long and narrow abrading tool for use on Work in closely conned locations in mechanical devices including a blade terminating atone end in a narrow tip provided with a recess and said blade including upwardly extending curved side Walls which increase in elevation and which gradually converge toward each other as they extend away Vfrom said tip to provide a portion which is substantially circular in cross section and said side walls being divergent from the substantially circular portion toward the other end of the blade to form crotch edges, and a rod type abrading and cleaning brush removably disposed within and supported laterally by the curved side walls and having one end anchored in the recess at the tip and its opposite end wedged between the diverging edges of the side walls.

2. Altool comprising a hollow tubular handle and a slender blade which terminates at one end in a pair of spaced tines and merges at theother 'ndin the handle and which is of increasing lateral dimension from the tines to the handle portion, said blade including a pair of side Walls of increasing elevation and curvature as they extend away from said tines and the edges of which gradually converge toward each other to form a strengthening portion between the Ytines and the handle which is substantially circular in cross section and which portion forms a substantially `hollow recess and said side walls being divergent from said substantially circular portion toward and finally merging in said tubular handle to form crotch edges which cooperate with the ad- `jacent edge of the tubular handle to form an aperture leading into the recess formed by the side walls of the blade and into the hollow interior of the handle.

3, A tool comprising-a hollow tubular handle and a blade formed integral with and extending longitudinally from the handle, said handle being of substantially uniform width and said tool having a curved bottom `which extends continuously throughout the length of the handle and blade, said blade being of increasing width from its free end to said handle and having side walls `of increasing elevation and curvature as they extend away from the freeend of said blade and which gradually converge Vtoward each other to form a portion of said blade which is substanltially circularin cross section and which portion provides a substantially `hollow recess, and said side walls being divergent from said substantially circular portion to the adjacent transverse edge of said handle to provide a pair of crotch edges and an orifice opening into the recess formed by the circular portion of said blade and into the interiorof said handle.

4. A tool including a handle of uniform width `throughout its length and a blade which terminates in a narrow end provided withV tines and which is,v provided with an orifice spaced from said tines, said blade being of increasing width from its narrow tined end to the handle and including side walls of increasing elevation and curvature as they extend away from the tined end and which gradually converge toward each other to form a substantially circular portion where the lateral edges of the side walls substan- `and beneath the blade portion to said rst mentioned orifice in which the other end of the brush is disposed and secured.

5. A long and narrow tool for insertion in small oriiices beyond which the tool is to perform n abrading and cleaning operation, comprising a substantially thin blade having a narrow end provided with tines and said blade being of increasing width from said tined end and including side walls extending along the major portion of` the blade to provide scraper edges of increasing elevation and curvature as theyextend away from the tined end and which gradually converge toward each other to provide a portion substantially circular in cross section and a longitudinally extending trough, said side walls being divergent from each other from said circular portion toward the wider end portion of the blade and said blade being provided with serrations for augmenting the scraper action of said edges, and a brush conned within and disposed longitudinally in said trough and having a part disposed between said tines and a part between said divergent wall portions and being laterally supported by the curved side walls.

6.` A long and narrow tool for being inserted through a small orifice in gaining access to work disposed inwardly of said orifice comprising a long and slender blade tapering toward oneend and terminating in a tip, said blade including -a bottom and side walls of increasing elevation and curvature as they extend away from the tip and which gradually converge toward each other to form a portion` which is substantially circular in cross section and the edges of said walls providing scraper edges which extend along the greater part of the blade and which are increasingly spaced from the bottom of the blade as they extend away from the tip and said blade having serrations extending outwardly from its back portion which cooperate with said scraper edges in providing an abrading action when said tool is used.

7. A cleaning and scraping device comprising a slender blade for being introduced into dimcultly accessible small apertures and having tines at one end, said blade being provided with side walls of increasing elevation'and curvature as they extend away from the tine end and which gradually converge toward each other to form a part which is substantially circular in cross section and which walls are divergent from said substantially circular portion toward the other end of the blade to form a pair of crotch edges, and a brush extending longitudinally of said blade between said side walls and having a portion adjacent one end disposed between said tines and a portion adjacent the other end wedged between said crotch edges and said side walls serving to provide increasing lateral support for said brush from said tines to said circular portion.

8. A long and narrow scraping and cleaning Vtool for insertion among closely adjacent me- -tially Lslender blade of increasing Alateral dimensions from one end :and including side increasing `elevation .and :curvature `as :they eX- tend ifrom the .more narrow end .and Awhich grad- '.ually .converge 4a .substantial distance from :the vnarrownend itoLform a portion which'issubstan- .tiallycircular in cross section providing -a .nsnbfstantially 4hollow .recess and .abrading means arranged longitudinally between `said walls 'and extending from the .narrow .end into the substantially ltubular recess :and said side 'walls serving to limit increasingly the "lateral displacement of said abrading .means from the :narrow 'end-.to the .substantially circular portion.

L9. kA:longancilnarrow tool for insertion among .parts 4in close proximity Lto each other reach- -brush with :respect to the blade, rand lsaid 'brush --beingrsecuredzto.saidibladeataipointfspacedirom -said eend vwhichv assists :in restraining the motion walls fof 'ingdiiiicultly .accessible .parts on which "work tis 1 to be fdone :comprising .a .substantially long `and .slenderblade having .a v.narrow end terminating @in artip :provided with tines, said blade includling side twalls of increasing elevation .and curvalture yand which gradually converge .a .substantial :distance-from the narrow end to form aportion which is substantially .circular in crosssection to 'increase the resistance of the .blade to bending forces `and to provide laterally extend- -ing scraper edges which yextend longitudinally for Athe greater part of `the length .of the blade and which tedminate at said tines.

:10. A tool comprising a slender and straight blade vfor insertion into difficultly accessible and confined lplaces and which terminates at Yone end 'in a :pair of tines and has an orice spaced from the tined end thereof, said blade including -a bottom `extending longitudinally of the operative length of the blade and side walls which are shaped and disposed with respect to eachother to form an opening extending longitudinally ,of

the blade and which increases in width toward the tined end of the blade, a brush disposed Vlongitudinally of said blade and supported .on said bottom, `said brush having a portion disposed within said oriiice and bent against the blade adjacent `thereto and a portion removably posi- Ytioned between said tines to laterally restrain the .brush from .displacement with respect to the blade, and means spaced from said tines for lretaining -the other -end of said brush in engage- 4ment with said blade.

.-11. A tool comprising a slender blade for inlsertion in small and diicultly accessible places,

said blade including a bottom extending .along Y.the operative part throughout the length .of said blade `and side walls-disposed with respect to each other and 4the bottom so as to form Va .substanf ltially -hollow closed part rfrom which the blade decreases in lateral dimension to a narrow Lend portion, at least one of said side walls being provided with Va scraper edge and said walls forming an-opening which increases laterally from the substantially closed 'portion of the blade .to its narrow end and a brush supported by and'resting upon the -bottom of said blade and being longitudinally 'increasingly Vexposed from the substantially closed portion ofthe blade toward the narrow end of said blade through said lateral opening, means at the more .narrow end of 'said blade for restraining the lateral motion of said `other as they "extend away 'from the .tip `to pro I Vvide i-a portion which is substantially circular in cross section and .a longitudinally extending opening which .increases laterally from the `circular portion 'to the narrow end of Asaid 'bladey and a brush removably :disposed on and continu-- ously supportedby the bottom of said .blade with one end inserted in said recess for maintaining the end vof said brush in operative position with respect tosaid blade during the normal .use of said tool and said substantially circular yportion -o`f said iblade :being of assistance in maintaining said rbrushfon said blade. Y

`13. AA long .and narrow scraping Vand Fahradingtool for `insertion yamong parts .in close profi-- imity to-each other in reaching difiicultlyacces- .sible parts `on which work .is to be done, comrprising a slender. blade having '-a pair of 'spaced .tines disposed at one end thereof, a hollow handle :extending continuously from the -end of 'said .blade l.remote .from said tines, said blade being .provided lwith walls of increasing :elevation and v.curvatureextending longitudinally of said'blade which gradually converge toward each other to form .a :strengthening portion between said tines Aand handle which is substantially circular in cross section Aand a pairwof scraper edges which dene the lateral extremities of saidside walls andcon- 4verge laterally toward each other longitudinally `'of said v:blade yfrornsaid tines-and which finally make substantial contact witheach other at the .portion which is substantially circular in cross section.

14. .A :tool comprising :a handle and v'a narrow blade which is vprovided 4at one end with tines and which increases in lateral dimension Ifromthe narrow end thereof and continues at the Aopposite end in said handle, said blade including va bottom extending throughout the Vlength thereof and walls which increase in elevation and which .gradually `-converge toward V each #other as they .extend from said tip to provide a :recessed Ystrengthening 4portion arranged between said tines .and .the handle which is substantially circular 4in cross section and a `pai-r of scraper edges .beginning with the :tines and continuing 'longi-` 

